Lake of the Ozarks Low-Impact Landscapes for a Healthy Lake of the Ozarks

In February of 2011 the Department of Natural Resources awarded a $740,000 grant to the Lake Ozarks Watershed Alliance (LOWA) for a four-year project to address stormwater-related pollution affecting the Lake of the Ozarks. The project has focused on stormwater runoff pollution – known also as non-point source pollution – in the Buck Creek and Lick Branch subwatersheds. The subwatersheds begin at Bagnell Dam and encompass the first 18.8 miles of the lake’s main channel as well as coves. This area was chosen largely because it is the most urbanized area of the lake. It includes Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Laurie, Sunrise Beach and the Village of the Four Seasons. These watersheds have experienced a 150 percent population increase from 1980 to 2000.

This multifaceted project includes demonstration projects, community education and outreach, and water quality monitoring. The first phase of the water quality monitoring included 20 weeks of weekly sampling in the summer of 2011 from coves located from mile markers 1-19. A map detailing the 2011 sampling sites is below, as are links to the 2011 samples results. The second phase of the project begins May 2014 to revisit the same coves as in 2011 to see if there is an improvement in water quality from the 2011 study. The 2014 map of sampling sites as well as sample results will be posted as they become available.